Realistic simulation of transcranial direct current stimulation via 3-D high-resolution finite element analysis: Effect of tissue anisotropy

Hyun Sang Suh, Sang Hyuk Kim, Won Hee Lee, Tae Seong Kim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recently, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is getting an attentions as a promising technique with a capability of noninvasive and nonconvulsive stimulation to treat ill conditions of the brain such as depression. However, knowledge on how exactly tDCS affects the activity of neurons in the brain is still not sufficient. Precise analysis on the electromagnetic effect of tDCS on the brain requires finite element analysis (FEA) with realistic head models including anisotropy of the white matter and the skull. In this paper, we have simulated tDCS via 3-D high-resolution FEA and investigated the effect of tissue anisotropy on tDCS. The results show that the skull anisotropy induces a strong shunting effect, causing a shift of the stimulated areas, and the white matter anisotropy affects strongly the current flow directions, changing the current field distribution inside the human brain. Our presented methodology and results should be useful for more effective guiding and treatment using tDCS.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Subtitle of host publicationEngineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages638-641
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)9781424432967
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society: Engineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009 - Minneapolis, MN, United States
Duration: 2 Sep 20096 Sep 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society: Engineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009

Conference

Conference31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society: Engineering the Future of Biomedicine, EMBC 2009
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMinneapolis, MN
Period2/09/096/09/09

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